2008 Woodie Awards
Stressed students seek counseling
MELISSA WEINMAN
Issue date: 1/17/08 Section: News
Many say the college years are the best of your life, but according to psychologists they can also be some of the hardest.
College counseling centers across the country have seen the number of students seeking psychological counseling increase since August, Gayle Robbins, director of Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS), said.
The increase is not isolated. The number of students seeking counseling has increased over the last decade.
"Students experience a lot more pressure than they used to, and they realize more that they need to get help when they're feeling distress," Robbins said.
There are other factors contributing to the increase of students seeking help and the severity of their disorders, including stress and what's happening in the news, Robbins said.
Following the deaths of 33 students at Virginia Tech in April at the hands of a fellow student, college students have become more aware of their own mental health and the health of those around them, she said.
"Awareness was raised subsequent to Virginia Tech," Robbins said. "When so many tragic events happen in such a short amount of time it can tip the scales."
After the shootings, the Evaluation of Psychological Services Protocol Committee formed to look at the mental wellness of the University community.
A need for more psychologists was among the concerns outlined in the committee's report.
The University has a ratio of one psychologist to every 3000 students, but the International Association of Counseling Services suggests one psychologist for every 1000 to 1500 students.
Another reason students seek counseling is due to trouble adjusting to life away from home.
"They're just beginning life as an adult and lost that support system at home," said Amy Todey, a therapist at the Center for Counseling and Personal Evaluation.
Robbins said students often do not have methods to cope with stress.
"We've got individuals that have a lot more pressure but not a lot of tools - that can develop into anxiety or depression."
College counseling centers across the country have seen the number of students seeking psychological counseling increase since August, Gayle Robbins, director of Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS), said.
The increase is not isolated. The number of students seeking counseling has increased over the last decade.
"Students experience a lot more pressure than they used to, and they realize more that they need to get help when they're feeling distress," Robbins said.
There are other factors contributing to the increase of students seeking help and the severity of their disorders, including stress and what's happening in the news, Robbins said.
Following the deaths of 33 students at Virginia Tech in April at the hands of a fellow student, college students have become more aware of their own mental health and the health of those around them, she said.
"Awareness was raised subsequent to Virginia Tech," Robbins said. "When so many tragic events happen in such a short amount of time it can tip the scales."
After the shootings, the Evaluation of Psychological Services Protocol Committee formed to look at the mental wellness of the University community.
A need for more psychologists was among the concerns outlined in the committee's report.
The University has a ratio of one psychologist to every 3000 students, but the International Association of Counseling Services suggests one psychologist for every 1000 to 1500 students.
Another reason students seek counseling is due to trouble adjusting to life away from home.
"They're just beginning life as an adult and lost that support system at home," said Amy Todey, a therapist at the Center for Counseling and Personal Evaluation.
Robbins said students often do not have methods to cope with stress.
"We've got individuals that have a lot more pressure but not a lot of tools - that can develop into anxiety or depression."
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